Review - Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #2) by Bethany Griffin

Title: Dance of The Red Death

Author: Bethany Griffin

Series: 2nd (Masque of the Red Death)

Pages: 327

Published: June 11th 2013 by Greenwillow Books 

ISBN: 9780062107824

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Description: In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city. Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero. With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.

I Give This ...

This one somehow slipped right by me and missed publication date.  So unfortunately, I had to work on remembering some of the details from the first book.  I think I manged it because I wasn't nearly as confused as I thought I would be.

Araby is determined to save her friend April (and possibly the city if she can) at all costs.  I think she's tired of those around her wavering in their decisions.  But, it's interesting to think that the story kind of sticks to the time period that a girl needs a boy to save her.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure Araby can count on Will or Elliott to serve her best interests.  They are both to wrapped up in their own ideals to take note.  And thankfully, she finally doesn't wait around for them.

Speaking of Elliott and Will, I had high hopes for them.  Sadly, the really disappointed me.  Will seems to wallow in his own betrayal.  Araby may be mad at him, and possibly want nothing to do with, but she also understands.  I think he just needed to buck up and show her the kind of man he could me.  As for Elliott, I really wanted to see the person that I thought he could be.  But, he really is just shallow.  Araby looks good on his arm only when it's convenient for him.     

I thought the chain of events was interesting.  It was slow moving to build up the ending that then h a happened at a break neck speed.  I found it extremely intriguing that Elliott thought he had the upper hand in planning this big revolution.  Sadly the Prince was way ahead of them.   He was the one that had it all planned out....I just don't think he fully counted on how Araby played into it all.

The ball at the end was absolutely fantastic.  I had such vivid imagery going that I didn't want the scene to end.  I would love to see it play out in a trailer.  I've read further reviews that its an awesome tribute to the Edgar Allen Poe short Masque of the Read Death.  I must seek this story out and read it!  If I was as fascinated with this version, I can only imagine Poe's!

A satisfying conclusion.  I'll have to keep an eye on this author!

 

Review - Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death, #1) by Bethany Griffin

Title: Masque of the Red Death

Author: Bethany Griffin

Series: 1st

Pages: 320

Published: April 24th 2012 by Harper Collins 

ISBN:  9780062107794

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Decription: Everything is in ruins.  A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.  So what does Araby Worth have to live for?  Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.  But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.  And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

I Give This ...

In getting ready to write this review I realized how long it's been since I read it.  So, I'm hoping that I can do this book a little bit of justice.  

This book has a really dark feel to it, which it should considering it's inspiration comes from a similarly names story by Mr Edgar Allen Poe.  I was intrigued by the world that the author has created.  The population has been decimated to a small portion and those who survive leave in fear.  They fear the plague because it's not gone.   They fear the violence that is threatening to overcome the city.   But, a few of them even fear the leader because he's not everything he seems.  

Araby first seems oblivious to all of this.  Despite the times, she's feel cared for and has a mask of her own.  Her father is respected and even idolized.  But, somehow she gets pulled into an underground society that so close to ripping open everything she knows.  But, that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Because, even her parents are holding secrets.  And she slowly unravels all of them she begins to regret that past decisions that she's made.  I think she took for granted what she had and begins to see that life isn't guaranteed.  She's been wasting moments.

I liked our male characters a lot.  Will really pulled at me.  He's so close to that life of privilege and has to go home everyday and watch his brother and sister live without.  I like that he sees something in Araby that she doesn't even see in herself.  I'm curious as to what the end of the story means because it wasn't what I was expecting.   As for Elliott...well at first I disliked him.  I thought he was careless and selfish.  But, he grew on me.  I'm still not sure were his true motives lie, but I can see something in him that makes me doubt my original thought on him.

And interesting story that was a little slow at times and a little confusing.  But, in the end I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series!